Well, as this photo gallery details, they can do lots of things! Take a look, and don't miss the shareable, printable download we created so you can show and tell others all about livability

Spend Time Together

A community that's livable for people of all ages and life stages is a town, city or neighborhood that people can safely and comfortably reside in from childhood to old age.

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Photo by Alamy

Go For a Walk

People are more active and socially engaged in communities that have sidewalks than in those that don't. According to Smart Growth America, the chances of a pedestrian being struck by a car more than doubles when an area has no sidewalks.

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Plymouth, MI: Photo by the WALC Institute

Safely Cross the Street

In too many places, the only way to get from one side of a street to the other is to drive. In a livable community roadways are designed for people as well as for vehicles.

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Photo by Alamy

Ride a Bike

Since the 19th century, Prospect Park West, a boulevard in Brooklyn, N.Y., has had vehicle lanes (first for horse-drawn carriages, then cars) and wide sidewalks for pedestrians. In the 21st century bicyclists received their own designated path.

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Portland, OR: Photo by Steve Semler/Alamy

Get Around Without a Car

Not everyone has access to a car and not everyone can drive. Also, as many a driver knows, traffic, costs and poor road conditions can undermine the convenience of traveling by car. A livable community includes transportation options.

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Photo by Getty Images

Live Comfortably

A livable community has varied types of housing so people seeking to move to or remain in an area can do so at various price points — and with residential options suitable for people of varying ages, abilities and life stages.

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Photo by Getty Images

Work or Volunteer

A livable community has ways for people to earn a living and, when time and obligations allow, put their energy, interests and skills to use through volunteer work, too.

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Photo by Getty Images

Visit Public Places

Spending time out and about beyond one's home or workplace can be both enjoyable and energizing. Public places such as parks, Main Streets, libraries and recreational areas offer a community's residents a place to go and a place to meet.

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Photo by Getty Images

Socialize

In a livable community, residents can spend time with folks they know and even make new friends. Activities and places to gather help people connect with one another and prevent loneliness.

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Photo by Getty Images

Spend Time Outdoors

You needn't be a fitness buff or nature enthusiast to benefit from some sunlight and fresh air. Parks, pathways, benches and green spaces encourage outdoor time. Having a porch, balcony, deck or yard at home is great, too.

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Photo by iStock

Be Entertained

While anyone with a TV or internet connection can be entertained, fun community activities such as street fairs, special events, concerts and shows help make a community desirable as both a destination and place to live.

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Photo by Getty Images

Go Shopping

It's possible now to shop online, by phone or by heading to a big box retail chain that sells a bit of everything. But communities without local shops and eateries tend to feel like faceless places or, worse, ghost towns.

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Photo by Getty Images

Buy Healthy Food

Believe it or not, the United States is home to many so-called food deserts, which are areas where grocery stores are rare or nonexistent and fast food dominates over fresh food. Livable places promote and enable smart eating habits.

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Photo by Getty Images

Find the Services They Need

When quality, regularly needed services (such as health care, education, even haircuts) can be found locally rather than miles or hours away, a community feels more like a home and a hometown rather than simply just a place to live.

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Photo by iStock

Enjoy a Lifelong Home

A livable community is a community that can be a home for people of all ages. Help "show and tell" what livable communities are by downloading and sharing a single-page graphic based on this slideshow. Here's how!

Each issue of the award-winning AARP Livable Communities e-Newsletter contains a mix of inspiring examples, community resources and information about livability efforts from places near and far. Subscribe today!